Tuesday, April 03, 2007 Grand stage production marks launching of Jonkie’s campaign
WITH about 5,000 supporters attending, mayoral aspirant Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano launched his campaign Sunday night at a grandstand complete with lights, music, full video coverage and Manila-based performers.
The activity was held about a couple of kilometers from the campaign of his rival, City Councilor Jonas Cortes, who wooed voters in Barangay Tipolo.
In contrast, Cortes’ gathering was small, with only barangay residents as his audience.
Some supporters gave flyers to passing motorists.
Ouano sang “Sa Piling Mo” before he delivered a speech.
He also threw towels bearing his name to the crowd.
Platform
During his speech, he enumerated his platform of government, which included programs for urban renewal, jobs and education.
And to end criticisms about the award he received as managing director of a fastfood branch, he showed a video of the ceremony where he got the award.
He also showed a video of Cortes saying that Ouano is fit to be the next mayor of Mandaue.
Cortes, who started the first day of campaigning in Barangay Labogon last Friday night, explained he only said that Ouano is qualified to be a mayor and that no endorsement was made.
“Would I run too if I wasn’t qualified? I’m here to win,” Cortes told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Cortes said he didn’t mind the use of the footage, saying it is also part of Ouano’s strategies.
Cortes campaigned in Barangay Tipolo with some of his candidates for councilor.
As part of his strategy, his entire slate is divided into groups and each group goes to a designated barangay to campaign. Afterward, they switch barangays.
Jonkie’s campaign was held at a vacant lot in Barangay Centro, whose barangay captain, Fiorello Latonio, is running for councilor under the Cortes camp.
The program featured singer Randy Santiago and comedienne Pokwang.
Around 9 p.m., supporters from different barangays were acknowledged.
After prayers were said and the national anthem sung, the candidates were then called to the stage one by one.
Other candidates
Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz went up the stage with the candidates for provincial board member, Mandaue City Councilor Wenceslao Gakit and incumbent Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong.
They were with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez.
Santiago sang a medley of his popular songs while Pokwang kept the crowd attentive with her jokes.
Cortes, for his part, said he chose his campaign sorties to be as simple as possible.
He said that his first official campaign was held at the vacant space fronting the Labogon barangay hall.
Cortes said that it was a way of giving respect to Labogon Barangay Captain Damaso Tumulak, who is the only barangay captain not allied with the administration of Mayor Thadeo Ouano.
He said he prefers to have many small gatherings over big ones.
“Ang ato pang masa man. Makita nato nga di hinakot atong tawo (We are here for the masses. You can see that we did not pay the people to be here),” he said.
Cortes added that he is happy with the turnout of his supporters because they are actually from the barangay where the campaign was held. (AAG)
